Private Finance Initiative

Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (1) estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Defence Fixed Telecommunications Service for the Ministry of Defence, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49566]

(2) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Hazardous Stores Information Project for the Ministry of Defence by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49666]

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(3) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for RAF Lossiemouth (FQ), by comparison with a non- Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49574]

(4) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency Fire Training, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49558]

(5) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for Tidworth Water and Sewerage for the Ministry of Defence, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49570]

(6) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the German White Fleet for the Ministry of Defence, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49562]

(7) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49568]

(8) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for Central Scotland FQ for the Ministry of Defence, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49560]

(9) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for Yeovilton (Family Quarters) for the Ministry of Defence, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49572]

(10) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for Attack Helicopter Training, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49556]

(11) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Hawk Simulator, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49564]

(12) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for Medium Support Helicopter Air Crew Training Facility, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49567]

(13) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Training Administration and Financial Management Information System for the Ministry of Defence by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49667]

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(14) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for Joint Services Command and Staff College, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49575]

(15) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for Flying Training for University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49559]

(16) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for RAF Fylingdales (Power), by comparison with a non- Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49571]

(17) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for RAF Cosford/Shawbury, by comparison with a non- Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49555]

(18) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Helicopter Flying School, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49563]

(19) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for RAF Lyneham Sewerage for the Ministry of Defence, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49569]

(20) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the RAF White Fleet for the Ministry of Defence, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49561]

(21) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for RAF Mail, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49573]

(22) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Tornado SR4 Simulator, by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative; [49557]

(23) what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for Army Mail (IT), by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative. [49565]

Mr. Ingram:
I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Soldiers (Trade Unions)

Harry Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of European Union law on the right of soldiers to join a trades union; and if he will make a statement. [49730]

Mr. Ingram:
Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights provides for a right to peaceful assembly and association, including the right to form a trade union. The Article does allow for the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of those rights by

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members of the armed forces. No restrictions are placed upon Service personnel attending meetings of civilian trade unions, professional associations, or courses of instruction run by the same that are intended to enhance trade skills and professional knowledge. However, as the armed forces must be seen to maintain a position of political neutrality, personnel may not participate in any form of political activity organised by a civilian trade union or organisation to which they belong.

Refits

Mr. Jenkin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 73W, for what reasons the refits of (a) HMS Manchester and (b) HMS Liverpool are taking longer than the average periods given; and what enhancements are being provided to each of the five ships presently in refit. [49748]

Mr. Ingram:
The average refit period given in my reply to the hon. Member was indicative for the frigate and destroyer Class. The refit periods for ships within a Class will vary depending on individual requirements. HMS Manchester exceeded the average period principally due to work required on her gearbox. In HMS Liverpool's case, an extensive electronics package required an extended trials period.

The five frigates and destroyers currently in refit will receive a number of enhancements at various levels, details of the major ones are given as follows:

Aviation facilities to allow operation of Merlin helicopter, command support and communications systems upgrade; installation of equipment to purify water discharged from ship to meet marine pollution regulations.